Can gays be married in a church

But the Vatican said blessings should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings. Pope Francis said people being blessed did not require "moral perfection". Skip to content. Church of England backs services for gay couples. Marriage for purposes of federal law includes same-sex couples in the 13 states that recognize same-sex marriage.

Pope Francis approved a document issued by the Vatican announcing the change on Monday. Here’s are other major churches in the U.S. that allow same-sex marriage: The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America allows same-sex couples to get married, but leaves it up to. Pope says Roman Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples.

Getty Images. Nepal registers first same-sex marriage. No church is required to allow its facilities to be used for same-sex marriages in violation of its religious beliefs. In the Catholic Church, a blessing is a prayer or plea, usually delivered by a minister, asking for God to look favourably on the person or people being blessed.

On the one hand, the Church affirms that marriage is an exclusive union between one man and one woman. The declaration represents a softening of tone from the Catholic Church, although not a change in position. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church said priests should be permitted to bless same-sex and "irregular" couples, under certain circumstances.

Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican said it should be a sign that "God welcomes all", but the document says priests must decide on a case-by-case basis. People receiving a blessing "should not be required to have prior moral perfection", according to the declaration.

But he added that in keeping with the Pope's "pastoral vision" of "broadening" the appeal of the Catholic Church, the new guidelines would allow priests to bless relationships still considered sinful. Pope suggests Church could bless same-sex couples. Pope Francis had suggested in October that he was open to having the Church bless same-sex couples.

Bishops in certain countries have previously allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, though the position of Church authorities remained unclear. It added that it continues to view marriage as between a man and a woman. In , the Pope said priests could not bless same-sex marriages because God cannot "bless sin".

On the other hand, it calls on followers of Christ to treat homosexuals with respect and. Share Save. Same-sex marriage. The Vatican’s newly released document addressing the blessing of same-sex couples doesn’t pave the way for gay weddings at churches or with Catholic priests as officiants.

No church bylaw amendments are necessary at this time. Pope Francis.